Poetic Vietnamese landscape through Le Thanh Son’s artistic eyes
Coincidentally, the most representative class of artists for Vietnamese contemporary painting were all born in 1962, some names include Hong Viet Dung, Hoang Phuong Vy, Le Thiet Cuong or Le Thanh Son. These names have put Vietnamese paintings on the world map, destroying the stereotype that we are a country that only has war. Join Green Palm Gallery to go through Le Thanh Son’s collection to better understand the influence of these works after the 1986 reform.
Biography of Le Thanh Son
Born in Hanoi in 1962, Le Thanh Son graduated from the College of Theatre and Cinema in 1986 and is a member of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association. He is widely recognized as a leading figure in Vietnamese art during the Đổi Mới era, known for a style that bridges Impressionism and Expressionism.
Le Thanh Son’s artistic journey is marked by numerous solo and group exhibitions both in Vietnam and abroad, including prominent showings at the Canadian Embassy in Hanoi (1994), Singapore (1995), Hong Kong (1996), as well as exhibitions in Miami, Tokyo, and many other international venues. He has also participated in group shows in Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Australia, Belgium, the UK, and London.
Throughout his career, Le Thanh Son has been particularly devoted to oil painting, a medium that allows him to explore the depths of color, light, and the delicate resonance of surface textures. Landscape painting in oil has become his distinctive artistic language, enabling him to convey the radiant, lyrical character of Vietnam’s natural beauty.
Portrait of Vietnamese artist Le Thanh Son (photo: VietNamNet)
Vietnam’s poetic scenery, reimagined through the artistry of Le Thanh Son
The works of Le Thanh Son depict peaceful landscapes in every province of Vietnam, from the beloved The Huc Bridge in Hanoi, to the famous cliffs in Ha Long or simply the view of the harbor. The simplicity of the countryside, when the small people are enjoying the beauty of the golden forest and silver sea that nature has bestowed. Villages, fields, or rivers appear extremely brilliant and poetic but also equally peaceful and everyday. It is this familiar yet novel expression that creates an invisible connection for viewers, when they are given a round-trip ticket back to their homeland through a painting. Far from being ruins from war or backwardness, Le Thanh Son’s work brings a new perspective to the audience about a beautiful and rich Vietnam.
The journey in painting of an artist like Le Thanh Son cannot be measured in a day, a month, a year or in how many works he has created. This journey is always a story that reflects the life and inner thoughts of the artist. That is the story of where and in what space and time he lived and experienced to bring works that move artistic souls.
Whether it was Spring, Summer, Fall, or the cold Winter, Le Thanh Son still recreated the peace of the highlands in a very realistic way; Whether it’s the sunlight glinting on the tree canopy or the cold winter wind. With skillful pen strokes, Le Thanh Son has touched not only the intuition and touch but also the hearts of Impressionist art lovers. When talking about artist Le Thanh Son, viewers will dreamily think of a sky filled with brilliant colors of flowers or leaves in his paintings. His paintings are likened to perfect love, because he is a person who came to the right place and time. When he passed by that place, it was the most beautiful flower season and his footsteps were also accompanied by the cold wind that day. soul. Le Thanh Son’s art is to love passionately, to live passionately and in harmony with all eyes.
Key works by Le Thanh Son
Most of his signature pieces are rendered in oil on canvas, a medium well suited to his dynamic palettes and rhythmic visual language. Green Palm Gallery is pleased to present several of his most outstanding works:
“Ha Long” Bay
“Ha Long” Bay stands among Le Thanh Son’s most celebrated landscape paintings at Green Palm Gallery.
Through his interpretation of Ha Long, Le Thanh Son does more than recreate a well-known Vietnamese site; he evokes the tranquility and majesty of untouched nature. Limestone peaks, mirror-like water, and open sky engage in a subtle conversation of light and form. In his vision, Ha Long Bay is not simply a tourist destination but a landscape of memory and visual poetry.
What sets this work apart is his use of color to immerse the viewer in space. Instead of emphasizing sheer scale, he guides us toward a tender, dreamy sense of peace. This approach appeals to lovers of Vietnamese landscapes who seek nuance rather than realistic depiction.
"Ha Long Bay", an oil painting by Le Thanh Son.
Peaceful Ocean
From its very title, this work suggests an atmosphere of calm. Under Le Thanh Son’s brush, the sea is transformed into a sanctuary of serenity—far from chaotic or overwhelming. The interplay of expansive water, tranquil sky, and boundless space fosters a sense of ease, inviting viewers to momentarily escape the rush of everyday life.
Here, tranquility is not about emptiness, but about the harmonization of colors and light: the blues of sky and sea blending seamlessly, while the presence of figures and boats stand out, lending vitality without isolation. It’s a deep, contemplative peace that grows the longer one gazes at the painting.
The beauty of the ocean in "Peaceful ocean" by Le Thanh Son.
Flower season
While the artist’s seascapes offer openness, his floral themes exude vibrance, freshness, and exuberant life. Season of Flowers is an outstanding example of his emotive color technique. In Le Thanh Son’s hands, flowers are not mere decorative motifs; they symbolize the changing seasons, the passage of time, and the joy of being alive.
The work feels animated, as if the petals, leaves, and sunlight are all moving in unison—a visual melody. Within the painting, viewers sense both the jubilance of nature and the gentle warmth of everyday moments.
The peaceful beauty of "Flower season" by Le Thanh Son
After Rain
Rain in art is often associated with a variety of emotions—stillness, renewal, a touch of melancholy but also hope. In After the Rain, the first impression is one of nature rejuvenated—a world scrubbed clean, awash in light that is softer, clearer, and more humid than before. This is a quintessential moment for Impressionist brushwork, where color and light are essential to conveying atmosphere.
The work reflects not just a natural phenomenon but a state of mind—a time when everything slows down and becomes quieter, fresher, and more peaceful. Through this piece, the viewer is invited to experience a sense of renewal, healing, and hope.
"After Rain", an oil painting by Le Thanh Son
To explore more works by Le Thanh Son, art enthusiasts are invited to discover the collection hosted by Green Palm Gallery, where you may select pieces that resonate with your living space, aesthetic preferences, and inner emotions.
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GREEN PALM GALLERY – Phòng tranh Cọ Xanh Gallery in Ha Noi: 39 Hang Gai, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
Gallery in HCM City: 49 Mac Thi Buoi, HCM City, Viet Nam
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